James f



(No Model.)

J. F. MUNSIB. MANV HOLBPOR UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC GONDUITS. 10.426,206. PatentedApr. zz, 1890.

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JQ .az Lal n: own Parana co., maromwo.. msmusvon u c UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMES E. MUNsiE, OE BROOKLYN, AssioNoE To THOMAS L. oOLEs, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

MAN-HOLE FOR UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC CONDUITS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.426,206, dated April 22, 1890.

.Application filed January 22, 1890. Serial No. 337,712. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JAMES F, MUNsIE, a British subject, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented' certain new and useful Improvements in Man-Holes for Underground Electric Conduits; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable oth- Io ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new an d useful improvements in man-holes for underground electric conduits, and has for its objects, first, to avoid explosions therein by keeping the man-hole chamber practically air and gas tight; secondly, to maintain said chamber in as dry a condition as possible; thirdly, to make suitable provision for insuring the safety of the linemen entering the chamber; fourthly, to minimize or neutralize the injurious iniiuence of induced currents from hightension wires upon low tension or battery wires passing through the man-hole chamber, and, iifthly, to provide access to the man-hole chamber from the side and through a constantly-ventilated shaft or well furnished with dry air.

In attaining these several obj ects the in vention consists in the novel arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this speciiication.

In the vaccompanying drawings, Figure l represents a vertical cross-section, on a plane indicated by the line l l of Fig. 2, of a manhole chamber and its accessories embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents ahorizontal section of the same on a plane indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 2, FigA 3 represents an enlarged detail sectional view of the duct or tube frame shown in Fig. l, and Fig. l represents a detail face view of the door or cover over the entrance to the man-hole.

Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The man-hole chambers will be located in the usual manner at the intersection of crosslines of underground conduits, or at distributing and feeding points along said conduits, and will consist of two or more compartments,

as 5 G, located one above the other and accessible only through an auxiliary sha-ft or well 7, the tops of both compartments being entirely closed. The main walls of the compartments 5 G are of brick or stone masonry,

so as to insure solidity of structure, and are provided with an insulating-partition S, built into said masonry, and consisting, preferably, 6o of wooden beams that have been impregnated by immersion or otherwise with boiled olive or other suitable oil. rlhe upper compartment 5 serves for the passage of the low-tension or battery wires supplying telegraphic or telephonic circuits and the like, and through the lower compartment 6, I prefer to pass the Wires carrying currents high in tension and quantity from dynamos supplying electric lamps, duc.

In order to thoroughly insulate the two compartments 5 and 6 from each other, I separato them by an insulating-floor resting upon and supported by the beams S, and consisting, preferably, of oil-impregnated boards 9 75 lO, separated by an intervening filling Il, of tar-yarn, Chatterton compound, or the like. Each compartment is furthermore provided with an independent insulating-lining l2, separated from the walls of the compartment So by an intervening space, which I prefer to fill with an insulating water-proof and airproof packing I3, preferably of Chatterton compound. By this arrangement of parts the compartments will be thoroughly insulated 8 5 from each other, so that no currents may be carried by conduction from one to the other, and each will be completely protected against access of air, gas, or moisture from the surrounding earth. The tendency of the sur- 9o rounding earth, especially during cold weather, is to condense moisture from the air within the man-hole chamber, said eondensations gathering upon the inner walls and making them, te a certain extent, conductors of elec- 95 tricity. To absorb such moisture as formed,

and prevent its depositupon the compartmentwalls, I provide in each compartment apot or the like lil, containing unslaked lime, which will take up the moisture, thereby keeping roo the walls dry and preserving their insulating qualities.

In connection with the features of my invention thus far described, I wish to call attention to the following considerations: My object in surrounding the compartment-walls with an air-proof and Water-proof filling is to protect the man-hole from all access of moisture and explosive gases from without. The said filling is completely adapted to such purpose. On the other hand, it is, when used alone, of some disadvantage, for the reason that it prevents the grounding of currents accidentally arising within the man-hole.

Thus during the manipulation of wires within the man-hole it may happen that the uncovered ends of wires connected tothe generator might come in contact with the said filling, and if such surface is moist the current will give a shock to the lineman should he inadvertently touch the moist surface. It becomes, therefore, of the highestimportance to keep the walls of the man-hole as dry as possible, and also to secure the best possible insulation with-in the water-proof and air-proof filling, so that the walls shall be at all times of practically no conducting capacity. To the attainment of these ends I have therefore provided the compartments with the in` ner supplemental insulatingdining and have taken the necessary precautions.I of preventing the formation of moisture upon said lining by the introduction of unslaked lime within the compartment, these several provisions eo-operating to produce a man-hole chamber that the lineman can enter with security.

In order to give access to the compartments 5 6, I provide in each a side opening leading to the shaft 7, and having a door or cover 15, adapted to fit closely, so as to hermetically seal the opening. To this end I surround each opening with a frame 17, having a recess formed by the flange 16, within which recess is placed a gasket or other packing 18, and over this gasket is placed the door or cover 15, which is held in place by bolts 19, passing through the door or cover. By drawing up the nuts 20,011 the bolts 19 the door or cover will be firmly pressed against the gasket,

thereby effecting an air-tight fit.

I will now describe my preferred manner of passing the wires or cables into and from the man-hole chambers. At 21 is indicated what I term duet or tube frames, vconsisting, primarily, of a frame which is set into the masonry forming the compartmcntwalls, and is inelosed by the same, as shown more fullyin Figs. 1 and 3. The duct 22 for the electric wires or cables 23 passes into and through the frame 21 and fits the same closely. In Fig.- 3 the numeral 24 indicates a tube-sheet fitted in front of the duet 22 and within the frame 21, through and into which the tubes 25 for the wires or cables pass. The frame 2l may, however, be omitted, if desired, and the tube-sheet may, be fitted directly against the masonry. The frame 21 is to be closely fitted within the masonry, and to that end it is provided, preferably, ou both sides with recesses 26, within which is placed a packing 27, surrounding the d uct 22. A plate or cover 2S fits against the packing 27 and against the side 29 of the frame, being held tightly against the latter by the bolts or rivets 30, as shown. By this means the passage of gas or moisture between the duct 22 and frame 21 is effectually guarded against. rlhe requisite number of duct or tube frames and their described accessories is to be placed in each compartment for the accommodation of the separate conduits leading' into and away from said compartments.

In order to reduce the destructive effects of electric currents from atmospheric causes--` such as lightning shoeks-I prefer to place a lightning-arrester 31 in proximity to the wires, said lightning-arrester being connected to the earth by an insulated conductor of large carrying capacity 32,1eading to the grounded rod 33; or, if preferred, the lightning-arrester maybe connected to the duct-frame 21 for the same purpose.

Vhen battery-wires for telegraphic and telephonie circuits pass through a manhole chamber in a parallel relationship to and in proximity to wires conveying currents high in tension and quantity for electric lighting and similar purposes, induced currents are set up in the battery-wires, which induced currents interfere with the battery-currents and affect the proper working of the instruments. To neutralize or minimize this action, I interpose between the two sets of wires a conductor 53 of large carrying capacity, consisting', preferably, of a metal plate located near the top of the lower compartment G and across the entire length ofthe mandlole, and through the walls of the same for a sufficient distance to be completely grounded at each end. A closed parallel circuit, of which the earth forms the return, is thus interposed between the two sets of wires. This circuit acts as a protector to the batteryavires, and the induced currents that would otherwise be generated in the battery-wires are set up in said protecting-circuit and dissipated in the earth.

I will now describe my preferred arrangement of well or shaft 7. At the lower part of said shaft I prefer to place a pot 3st, containing unslaked lime to absorb moistureand assist in keeping the shaft dry. I desire to have athorough circulation of dry air through the shaft, and to that end I provide the following arrangement: The top of the shaft is covered by a perforated plate 35, as shown, and a stand-pipe 3G leads to the lower part or bottom of the shaft, said stand-pipe extending upwardly above the surface of the ground (preferably near the curb 37) to a height greater than the plate 35, so as to create an upward draft through said pipe. The upper end of the pipe is provided with a hood to prevent the access of rain toits interior. By the IOO TIO

arrangement described air circulates through the shaft, preventing the accumulation of explosive gases therein and keeping the shaft in proper condition for the linemeu to enter.

In order to prevent rain or drippings that may enter the perforated cover from reaching the bottom of the shaft, I placewithin the shaft a suitable removable partition or watercatch 38, which may be supported upon a bracket or ledge 39, or lin any other suitable way, the partition being preferably bolted to the ledge upon a gasket 54 to make a watertight joint. A pipe 40 passes from the water catch to the sewer to carry away the water that may collect upon the water-catch. l provide said pipe with a suitable trap al to prevent gas from entering the shaft from the sewer, and I also prefer to place aclack-valvc 42 in the pipe for additional protection.

In order that the circulation of air through the shaft may not'be impeded by the watercat-ch 3S, I perforate the same, as at 43, and cover said perforations with tubes or hollow cones 44, upon which I place caps 45, as shown. By this means air is free to pass through the water-catch, while, as the hollow cones or tubes 44 project above its surface, water will not pass through the water-catch.

Vithin the shaft and below the watercatch 3S, I locate a shelf 46, entirely covering the portion of the shaft below it. This shelf is removable, and upon its upper surface I spread or distribute unslaked lime, as shown. The air entering from above through the hollow tubes or cones 44C is deprived of its moisture by contact with this unslaked lime, and passes in a dry state through the by-pass 47 to the bottom portion of the shaft.

Below the removable shelf a6, I secure a ladder 4S, whereby the linemen may readily reach the lower part of the shaft, after first removing the water-catch 3S and shelf 4G.

In order that the air in the compartments 5 6 may be thoroughly purified before the men enter the same, I place suitable air-taps or air-cocks i9 in the doors or covers l5, as shown.` Before the men remove the cover or door they open these cocks or taps, so that fresh dry air from the shaft may enter the compartments through one tap and escape through the other. Instead of the taps 4:9, any other suitable arrangement for opening and closing the air-apertures in the covers may be employed. After the air in the compartment has been purified the door or cover l5 may be lifted off andthe linemen can enter with safety. A constant circulation of dry fresh air is kept up in the compartment and shaft while the linemen are at work by means of the pipe 3G. After the work is completed the cover` or door 15 is replaced and tightly sealed to prevent air or gas entering the compartment.

NVhen the men are working in the shaft or compartment, the pipe 36 may be used as a speaking-tube, by which to commu nicatc with the men without the necessity of a nearer appreach.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is# l. A man-hole for underground electric conduits, provided with an air-proof and water-proof jacket, in combination with a moisture-absorbent for preventing condensations upon the inner walls of said jacket, substantially as described.

2. A man-hole for underground electric conduits, having low-tension or battery wires passing through its upper portion, and hightension or electric-light wires passing through its lower portion, in combination with a parallel conductor interposed between. the two sets of wires to neutralize or minimize the effect of induced currents, substantially as described.

3. A man-hole for underground electric conduits, consistin of an upper compartment for the reception of low-tension or battery wires, and a lower compartment for the reception of high-tension or electric-light wires, the said compartments being provided with air-proof and water-proof jackets, and being insulated against conduction from one to the other, substantially as described.

et, A. man-hole for underground electric conduits, in combination with a side shaft or well having an opening for communication with the man-hole, a cover or door for said opening, and ventilatin g devices in. said door, substantially as described.

5. A man hole for underground electric conduits, in combination. with conductortubes entering said man-hole, a duct surrounding said tubes, a tube-sheet traversing said tubes, and an outer frame surrounding said duct, substantially as described.

G. A man-hole for underground electric conduits, in combination with conductortubes entering said man-hole from an adjacent man-hole, and a tube-sheet receiving said tubes, substantially as described.

7. A manhole for underground electric conduits, in combination with a tube-sheet frame having a recess 2G, containing a packing 27, plate 2S, and duct 22, surrounded by the latter, substantially as described.

8. rI`he shaft 7, having perforated cover 35, in combination with the water-catch within the shaft, said water-catch having ventilating-openings, and means, substantially as described, fer carrying away t-he water from said water-catch, substantially as described.

S). The shaft 7, having perforated cover 35, in combination with the perforated watercateh 3S, said water-catch having hollow tubes exten di u g above the perforations in. the watercateh, hoods upon said tubes, and means, substantially as described, for carrying water away from said water-catch, substantially as described.

l0. The shaft '7 having perforated cover 35 and ledge or bracket- 39, in combination with IOO IIO

the Water-catch 3S, resting on said ledge, a pipe leadingI from said Water-catch to a sewer, and a trap or seal in said pipe, substantially as described.

ll. The shaft 7, provided with perforated cover 35, in combination with tlieventilatingpipe 36, the Water-eatol1 3S Within the sliali't, means, substantiallyT as described, 'for carrying away the Water from said Water-oatel1, tbe inan-l1ole, and the door or @over separating` said man-hole from said shaft, substantially as described.

2. The shaft 7, having` perforated eover and ledge 39, in combination with pipe 3G, connecting with the lower end of the shalt, tliewateroateh 3S, resting on said ledge, a 

